If the shoes lining the store shelves are any indication, it's going to be a hot summer indeed. Here is a look at some of 2009's hottest shoe trends for women.
Light Neutral Shoes
Image: Shoes.com
I'm a big fan of colorful footwear, but even I'm excited about this season's light neutrals. Beiges, creams, taupes and tans are great for pairing with brights and whites, making them ideal for warm weather.Pictured: Guess 'Credenza' (Buy Direct)
Fringe, Beads and Baubles : Bohemian Shoes
Image: Zappos.com
Fringe, beads, stones and other embellishments combine to make up a bohemian look that we haven't seen in footwear for a few years. The look can vary from laid-back hippie to cosmopolitan chic, but it's always fun and full of excitement. Pictured: Patricia Green 'Veronica' Buy Direct
Metallic Shoes : Shades of Silver and Gold
Image: Endless.com
While you can always find metallics in the evening shoes department, this year, the shiny shades have made their way onto more casual shoes as well. For example, flat sandals in silver, gold, and pewter are popping up everywhere; they're great for adding a touch of glam to an otherwise casual outfit. Pictured: Donna Karan '893984' (Buy Direct)
Ankle Straps Gold Wild : Collar and Cuff Sandals
Image: Zappos.com
You can find ankle straps on every kind of sandal this season, including the flattest of flats. But some designers have decided we need more than simple straps wrapped around our ankles, and have therefore given us sandals with ankle collars and cuffs, simultaneously creating one of the most divisive shoe trends of the Summer.
Some collar sandals aren't so extreme -- they are more like wide ankle straps. But in other cases, the collars actually extend several inches up the leg. The taller the collar, the tougher this trend is to pull off, but if you want to have a go at it, I recommend pairing these sandals with short shorts or skirts to minimize the leg-shortening effects of these trendy styles.
Pictured: Boutique 9 'Pristine' (Buy Direct)
Some collar sandals aren't so extreme -- they are more like wide ankle straps. But in other cases, the collars actually extend several inches up the leg. The taller the collar, the tougher this trend is to pull off, but if you want to have a go at it, I recommend pairing these sandals with short shorts or skirts to minimize the leg-shortening effects of these trendy styles.
Pictured: Boutique 9 'Pristine' (Buy Direct)
Heavy Metal Shoes : Shoes with Hardware Details
Image: Heels.com
Every couple of years or so, the powers that be decide our footwear isn't edgy enough, and begin decorating everything that passes before them with little metal studs. Don't get me wrong, sometimes it really works; but for me, a little of this usually goes a long way -- the same goes for decorative zippers. A well-placed buckle, on the other hand, is nearly always welcome in my closet.
My own thoughts on heavy-metal footwear aside, hardware embellishments have gotten the nod again this season, and studs, buckles and zippers are adorning everything from skimpy flats to sky-high heels.
Pictured: Report 'Masonic 2' (Buy Direct)
My own thoughts on heavy-metal footwear aside, hardware embellishments have gotten the nod again this season, and studs, buckles and zippers are adorning everything from skimpy flats to sky-high heels.
Pictured: Report 'Masonic 2' (Buy Direct)
Gladiator Sandals : Take Two
Image: Nordstrom.com
When gladiator sandals first began infiltrating the market, few people disliked them more than I did. I found them heavy, harsh, and very unflattering for most women. But like many trends that become popular enough, the style has mutated, the lines have blurred, and the category of "gladiator sandals" now includes more traditional styles with Greco-Roman overtones. This transformation has made the trend much more wearable, and hotter than ever. Pictured: Tory Burch 'Francesca' (Buy Direct)
The High Style of Flat Sandals
Image: Endless.com
One of the most versatile items you can have in your wardrobe is a pair of dressy flat sandals. With the ability to bring a laid-back vibe to dressier clothes, and add instant style to casual attire, I grab up pretty flat sandals like there's no tomorrow. If you want to get the most out of them, look for styles that aren't really dressy enough for evenings, but also aren't made from rubber or webbing. Pictured: Pelle Moda 'Vesper' (Buy Direct)
A Splash of Color : Orange and Pink Shoes
Image: Zappos.com
Like I said, I am excited about the season's light neutral trend, but being a color-lover at heart, I'm even more excited that there are still a few brights in the season's lineup as well. Pinks and oranges are especially hot, but there's no shortage of yellows, reds and greens either. Pictured: Jessica Simpson 'Hardy' (Buy Direct)
The Return of Wedge Heels
Image: Shoes.com
Wedges never stay away for long, and this Summer they're back with a vengeance. One of the best things about shoes and sandals with wedge heels is that many women find them easier to wear than their stiletto-heeled counterparts. One of the drawbacks of wedge heels is that they're often a bit on the bulky side, making them difficult to pair with very fitted fashions. Pictured: Ciao Bella 'Rae' (Buy Direct)
